Best institutions to study Geochemistry
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical properties and behavior of the silicates and other substances forming, and formed by geomorphological processes of the earth and other planets.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 24 Geochemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0602, a specialization of Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06), and leads most directly to the Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers occupation (BLS SOC 19-2042).
About Geochemistry programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical properties and behavior of the silicates and other substances forming, and formed by geomorphological processes of the earth and other planets. Includes instruction in chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium in silicate systems, atomic bonding, isotopic fractionation, geochemical modeling, specimen analysis, and studies of specific organic and inorganic substances.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Geochemistry program, a subset of Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, focuses on the scientific study of the chemical properties and behaviors of materials that form the Earth and other planets. This program is designed for students interested in understanding geomorphological processes and the chemical interactions that shape our planet's structure and composition.
Students in the Geochemistry program will gain knowledge in chemical thermodynamics, isotopic fractionation, and geochemical modeling. Coursework typically includes instruction in specimen analysis and the study of organic and inorganic substances, equipping students with essential skills in scientific inquiry and data interpretation.
Credentials awarded
What Geochemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship11 graduates / yr · 4 institutions46%
- Bachelor's degree8 graduates / yr · 4 institutions33%
- Master's degree5 graduates / yr · 4 institutions21%
Graduates over time
Geochemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 40 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 49 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 24 |
Top 8 institutions for Geochemistry, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 93% | — | — |
| 2 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 94% | $17,608 | — |
| 3 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 82% | — | — |
| 4 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 67% | — | $38,675 |
| 5 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, NMPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 3 | 57% | — | — |
| 6 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 7 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 58% | — | — |
| 8 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicMaster's | 1 | 76% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field (CIP 40.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 6 states
Where Geochemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 9 | University of California - Los Angeles5 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 4 | Grand Valley State University3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 4 | Colorado School of Mines4 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 3 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology3 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 3 | Brown University3 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2042, Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geochemistry program can pursue careers as geoscientists, with a median wage of $99,240 and an expected growth rate of 3.2%. With approximately 2,000 annual job openings, a Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0602
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographersprimary SOC 19-2042 | $101,920 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~2,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1052 | $93,250 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Geochemistry programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
Tools and technology used
Other Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06).
- Geology/CIP 40.0601
Earth Science 5,615 graduates / yr433 institutions - Geological and Earth Sciences/CIP 40.0699
Geosciences 946 graduates / yr87 institutions - OceanographyCIP 40.0607534 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Hydrology and Water Resources ScienceCIP 40.0605206 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Geophysics and SeismologyCIP 40.0603169 graduates / yr32 institutions
- PaleontologyCIP 40.0604partial data21 graduates / yr5 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Geochemistry and Petrology40.0606
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Geochemistry?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Geochemistry.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, mathematics, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get with a degree in Geochemistry?+
You can work as a geoscientist, natural sciences manager, or a chemistry teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for geoscientists?+
The job outlook for geoscientists is about as fast as average, with 3.2% growth expected.
What is the CIP code for Geochemistry?+
Geochemistry is CIP 40.0602 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical properties and behavior of the silicates and other substances forming, and formed by geomorphological processes of the earth and other planets. Includes instruction in chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium in silicate systems, atomic bonding, isotopic fractionation, geochemical modeling, specimen analysis, and studies of specific organic and inorganic substances.
How many institutions offer Geochemistry programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Geochemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 24 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.
How much do Geochemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers occupation, which Geochemistry most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field report median earnings of $38,675 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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